Occupational therapy assistants (OTAs) help people build or relearn the skills they need for daily life. These healthcare professionals use both technical skills and interpersonal strengths to connect with patients and make them feel supported. If you’re interested in this career, here are some essential skills for occupational therapy assistants that you might use on the job.
1. Communication
On a typical day, occupational therapy assistants communicate with patients, family members, occupational therapists (OTs), and other healthcare staff. When working with patients, they explain exercises clearly and demonstrate how to do therapeutic activities. They may also share updates about patients’ progress with occupational therapists.
Just as importantly, OTAs need to listen when patients communicate. By listening closely and asking follow-up questions, they can better understand patients’ concerns or challenges. They may document those observations in patient records or prepare written reports for supervising OTs.
2. Compassion and Empathy
It’s common for OT patients to feel stressed, frustrated, or overwhelmed when they struggle with familiar tasks. By showing compassion and empathy, OTAs can build trust with their patients. These qualities can help patients feel understood and emotionally supported by someone who understands what they’re going through.
For example, if a patient gets upset after a tough session, an OTA can acknowledge their disappointment and gently remind them about all the progress they’ve made so far. Responding this way can make patients feel heard while also encouraging them to keep moving forward.
3. Patience
Every patient is unique and progresses at their own rate. Sometimes, an occupational therapy assistant may work with a patient on the same skill over multiple sessions. Other times, a patient may need to repeat an exercise several times or more before learning it. Having patience in those situations can help OTAs stay focused and optimistic.
While progress may not happen overnight, getting to see patients thrive is a rewarding part of the job for many OTAs, like American Career College–Orange County alumnus Anthony R. “I love seeing a patient's progression, because part of your work is the reason why they're getting better,” he said. “Any way that you can make their day and help them live their life to the best of their abilities is a rewarding thing.”
4. Adaptability
A therapy session may not go as planned, or a patient may struggle with a specific exercise. For whatever reason, some days may be harder than others for occupational therapy assistants. The ability to adapt and remain flexible can help them find solutions to everyday problems or larger challenges.
When a patient struggles with an activity, for example, an occupational therapy assistant may recommend a modification or suggest an alternative exercise. An OTA can also work with the occupational therapist to discuss potential changes to a patient’s treatment plan.
5. Observation and Attention to Detail
OTAs often spend a lot of time with patients and closely observe how they handle tasks or complete activities. This attention to detail can help OTAs notice changes in a patient’s behavior or abilities. They can share those observations with occupational therapists to help patients continue making progress.
As an example, an occupational therapy assistant may notice that a patient gets tired quickly after a particular activity. They may record that observation so an OT can review or adjust the patient’s treatment plan as needed.
6. Instructional Methods
A big part of an OTA’s job is educating patients about therapies, exercises, and activities. They use training and instructional methods to teach patients how to do tasks, according to the Occupational Information Network (O*NET). OTAs also use instructional skills to assess patients and adjust teaching methods based on their needs.
An OTA may teach a patient how to use adaptive equipment to move safely in their home, for example. They might demonstrate the equipment and guide the patient through the process of using it. They may also educate family members about the equipment and how to support the patient at home.
7. Physical Strength and Stamina
OTAs often work on their feet for much of the day. The job can involve hours of standing, bending, and kneeling while helping patients with movement and mobility. At times, an OTA may also need to lift or transfer patients.
For example, an OTA may need to help an adult patient move from a bed to a wheelchair, or they may move from one activity to the next during a pediatric session. Physical strength and stamina can help OTAs do these tasks safely.
Can You Build Occupational Therapy Assistant Skills in School?
Yes, OTA school can help you build professional skills and prepare for this career path. While you may naturally have some strengths, such as compassion and attention to detail, an OTA program can show you how to use those skills in a healthcare setting.
An OTA program combines coursework with hands-on training in the field. In OTA school, you’ll take classes in anatomy and physiology, medical terminology, and professional communication to lay the groundwork for your training. Upper-level coursework may include classes like human structure and function, OT services in psychosocial settings, and occupational performance in children, adults, and older people.
Your OTA program will also include fieldwork across different OT settings, such as pediatric care, geriatric support, and adult rehabilitation. Through this in-person experience, you can build confidence in your OTA skills and get feedback from skilled professionals.
Start Your OTA Journey at American Career College
Communication, adaptability, physical stamina, compassion, and instructional methods are just a few essential skills for occupational therapy assistants. These skills can help OTAs educate patients about therapeutic activities and support them as they work to manage pain, improve mobility, or gain more independence.
The Occupational Therapy Assistant program at American Career College can help you build essential OTA skills and learn how to use your strengths in this role. Available at our Orange County campus, the OTA program blends online coursework and in-person instruction with real-world experience, including industry-current OTA labs and over 700 hours of hands-on fieldwork. This streamlined program can be completed in as few as 20 months!
Want to learn more about the OTA program at ACC? Reach out to request more information!
